Cost of Living in Waukesha, WI
Population 8,479 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Waukesha sits on the smaller end of the Wisconsin city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.7% — below most comparable cities in the state.
Geographically, Waukesha sits roughly 15 miles west of Milwaukee. Median home values run roughly 118% higher than Milwaukee's $172,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Waukesha
The median home value in Waukesha is $375,700 — 23% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,167/month, 11% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $126,286/year is 69% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.7%, below the national average of 4.8%. Wisconsin's top state income tax rate is 7.7% and the combined sales tax is 5.4%. The climate averages highs of 57.4°F and lows of 41.3°F, with about 48.7" of annual snowfall. Overall, Waukesha has a cost of living index of 109 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 9% more expensive.
Waukesha has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 31 | 34 | 44 | 55 | 67 | 77 | 82 | 80 | 74 | 61 | 48 | 36 |
| Low °F | 17 | 20 | 29 | 38 | 48 | 58 | 65 | 64 | 56 | 45 | 33 | 23 |
| Precip" | 1.79 | 1.69 | 2.20 | 3.86 | 3.54 | 4.38 | 3.40 | 3.65 | 3.16 | 2.78 | 2.24 | 1.88 |
| Snow" | 14.9 | 11.8 | 6.7 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 2.5 | 10.4 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Waukesha, WI?
Waukesha has a cost index of 109 (100 = national average). It is 9% above the national average.
What is average rent in Waukesha, WI?
The median gross rent in Waukesha is $1,167 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Waukesha?
The median home value in Waukesha is $375,700 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Waukesha?
The median household income in Waukesha is $126,286 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Waukesha, WI?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Waukesha is 5.4%. The Wisconsin state income tax top rate is 7.7%.
Is Waukesha, WI affordable?
Waukesha is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 109 (100 = US average).
What is the weather like in Waukesha?
Waukesha has average high temperatures of 57.4°F and average lows of 41.3°F. Annual precipitation is 34.6". Average annual snowfall is 48.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Waukesha at a Glance
- Population
- 8,479
- Median Income
- $126,286
- Home Value
- $375,700
- Median Rent
- $1,167/mo
- Unemployment
- 1.7%
- Avg High Temp
- 57.4°F
- Sales Tax
- 5.4%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Wisconsin Rankings
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